Symptoms Of Acid Reflux When Pregnant - How You Can Prevent The Pain And Discomfort

By Erina Array

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If you are expecting, you have to know there is a link between acid reflux (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) and your pregnancy. By some estimates by healthcare professionals, more than 50% of expectant mothers have reported that they have encountered symptoms ranging from small to major while pregnant.

Many women that do not have a history of symptoms of heartburn or indigestion, experience acid reflux symptoms for the first time after becoming pregnant and it is likely to get more severe during the second and third trimester of their pregnancy. Although it can be very painful, the heartburn a woman gets while pregnant is usually quite harmless. And while pregnancy and extreme heartburn symptoms in women often go hand-in-hand, most times they disappear immediately after the pregnancy.

If you have been lucky so far to have never had a run-in with the pain of acid reflux or heartburn, the first time you have it may be quite scary. A lot of pregnant women have concerns about symptoms of heartburn. However before you let the pain of heartburn shake you, keep in mind that more than 50% of all pregnant women have this same issues.

Acid reflux and pregnancy often occur together due to the fact that:

1. Fluctuating body hormone levels have an effect on the functioning of your digestive tract and how different foods are digested. This might affect your ability to enjoy some of your favorite foods and even drinks.

2. The placenta emits a hormone, referred to as progesterone, that relaxes the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), this allows the acid in the stomach to move back up into the esophagus -- which is the traditional cause of heartburn.

3. Progesterone may slow down peristalsis (the involuntary muscle contractions that move your food along the gastrointestinal tract). Naturally, this can make digestion more difficult.

4. Acid in your stomach can actually be squeezed back up into the esophagus by the growing fetus crowding your abdomen.

What Can You Do?

Lying on your side can help to reduce your irritation from heartburn.

Watch what you eat and stay away from foods that bring on acid reflux symptoms.

You may have to alter your exercise. You may need to decrease or even increase your exercise to help with the symptoms.

You might not be able to eliminate your heartburn during pregnancy totally, but usually, barring any unforeseen complications, the well-being of your baby and your health are not at risk.

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